Today at the brewery we hunkered down and tried our bottles. Well, six
of the seven we sent. We talked about each of them and a couple I
personally am not really happy with. This almost always happens since
putting beer in bottles is really about the worst thing you can do it.
The beer seems to change a bit. Sometimes it brings out a complexity
you don't taste in draft, but almost always it is negative. Since we
don't package, sometimes the carbonation level isn't quite right or
sometimes there is an off flavor in one of our lighter beers. Of course my
hopes are high, but in reality I've already counted a few of my entries
"out of the race." It all goes back to what you plan to enter, and how it all comes together. Of course, now it all comes down to what
tastes the best on the table the day the beers are judged....

If you are coming to Denver and you catch me at the Festival, or at
Falling Rock, or enjoying some green chile somewhere, say hi! Tell me
you're reading these diaries and what you think of our "tales of ale."